If you've been following my blog, or know me personally, it is no secret, I will SHOUT IT from the rooftops, I HAVE IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME. Or, as I refer to it, Irate Intestines. If you're not sure what IBS is, it is a complex, chronic, digestive disorder, in which the individual's intestine's do not function properly, resulting in IBS-D, IBS-C, or IBS Mixed (which is what I have.) Educate yourself further by reading my post here or visiting aboutibs.org.

Unfortunately, many are ill-informed about IBS or are too ashamed to admit to having it.Since the creation of this blog, I have taken on the self-proclaimed title of IBS Advocate.I advocate for myself, and others, with this digestive disorder as much as I canbecause most people suffer in silence or are unaware of how detrimental of a condition IBS can be.

For a period of time, my IBS consumed not only my body, but my mind as well. I was perpetually sick, in and out of the hospital and doctor's offices, trying anything to receive relief to no avail. For a little over three years, I experience extreme flare ups, every two weeks. My medication count ended up totaling nine pills a day, and I lost track of all the college/life social events I declined because of my symptoms. I was missing out either because I was at home writhing in pain or bloated beyond recognition that I just couldn't fit into any of my clothes, let alone, feel good about myself and want to be seen by anyone. I began to hate my body and became afraid of food, because anything I ate, would send my intestines into distress. Since then, I have completed a Clinical Trial for my IBS and worked hard to pull myself out of the dark place my digestive condition was dragging me into. My words and opinions may seem extreme, but those are only small snippets into the extreme effect IBS has had, and still continues to have on my life. If you don't believe me, below are two excerpts from the aboutibs.org website highlighting the severity of symptoms and their effect on the individual:

"The impact of IBS can range from mild inconvenience to severe debilitation. It can control many aspects of a persons emotional, social, and professional life. Those with moderate to severe IBS must struggle with symptoms that often impair their physical, emotional, economical, educational, and social well-being.

IBS is unpredictable. Symptoms my vary and are sometimes contradictory. Diarrhea can alternate with constipation. Long-term symptoms can disrupt personal and profession activities and limit individual potential."-- International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

While the description is pretty dismal, my entire outlook on my condition has changed

I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but it does not have meI am in control of my life, not my chronic condition.I thrive with my symptoms, not merely surviveI am beautiful, bloated or not, because my self worth is not set on my reflection.

My stomach looked like this for days at a time, every two weeks for almost three years straight

I STILL experience flare ups, but am in a much happier and healthier place now with my IBS, due to my strict adherence to my "management plan"

For so long, I felt, SO alone in my suffering and symptoms. And while I still am alone in the sense that I do not know anyone personally with my condition, I have made my Irritable Bowel Syndrome a platform for me to stand upon and preach about not only in person, but on the world wide web. Through this blog and my instagram account I have opened up to countless strangers about my symptoms and struggles in hopes that my honesty can inspire others, to not be ashamed, to not be afraid, and most importantly, to advocate for themselves and educate others.

I am transparent, in hopes to educate.I am real, not to be crass, but to assert the severity of my condition.I am honest, not for pity, but to promote acceptance

My Irritable Bowel Syndrome effects my body, mind, physical, social, and emotional choices on a daily basis, but through acceptance of my condition, self-work, self-love, and the right combination of medications, a laundry list of foods to avoid, and other "IBS rules" I follow, I am the healthiest and flare up free for the longest amount of time ever. It is not easy, dealing with such a complex condition, and sometimes I become angry and frustrated and want to cry, but I no longer suffer in silence. Through my openness, I have found a community of support that makes me push through even on my most difficult of days, because I know, somewhere, someone, feels exactly the same way I do too, and together, we can make it through.

Will you help spread IBS Awareness this month?

Did you know how debilitating/severe IBS could be?

Are you or someone you love a "silent" sufferer of another chronic condition?

Thoughts/Comments

If you or someone you love has IBS, please spread awareness not only this month, but every month!

"The only limitations we have, are the ones we place on ourselves."Limit yourself to nothing, expect of yourself, everything, and success will follow

I am BEAMING with joy as I type this post, I am beyond blessed to announce that I've been accepted as an ABOUTTI﻿MEAMBASSADOR! In my wildest dreams I never would have imagined that I (the girl who hated to run in high school and laughed at the idea of working out for fun) would ever even be CONSIDERED the "type" to be an Ambassador for a Protein, Nutrition and Supplement Company. Even as I began and continue on my journey of a healthy and balanced lifestyle, I always laugh when people ask me at the gym, "Are you an athlete?"I used to laugh, because I was limiting myself to what I could be.I do not fit the "mold" of a typical athlete, I am not training for my team, a certain race, or bikini competition. I am un-coordinated, double jointed, and have more physical limitations when it comes to the gym then I can tell a personal trainer in one session. I cannot run long distances, and I do not lift heavy weights or have six pack abs, BUT, I do have a passion for nutrition, fitness, and overall wellness. I am an athlete in this game that we call life, and although there is no scoreboard, I know that I am winning, because I am the happiest, healthiest and strongest that I have ever been and want to help others win as well. I believe that in order to be healthy, you must at first be happy, and that stems from self-love, and treating our bodies with respect, and nourishing them with the highest quality ingredients which is where ﻿ABOU﻿T﻿TIMEcomes into play.

As someone with severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Celiac Disease, what I ingest, directly effects not only my intestines, but my overall health. Finding a protein powder that was gluten free, lactose free, and IBS Friendly, AND tasty was tough, I kept coming up with brands that weren't matching my criteria, or had far too many ingredients on their label...

About Time is committed to nutrition and wellness, and caters to many nutritional needs with ingredients that you can pronounce and great tasting products!

Gluten Free

Lactose Free (Vegan and Soy Free Options as well!)

No Artificial Sweeteners (Hello Stevia!)

Minimal Ingredient List on their products

Low Calorie, High Protein Content

Tasty, without artificial ingredients

From Protein Powders to Pancake Mixes and Workout Supplements, About Time has something for everyone, no matter what their health and fitness goals are! Check out their awesome products﻿here, your bound to find something to help you become a better version of you! I know I already have! Use my code: amber25 for 25% off your purchase!

Personally speaking, I am IN LOVE with their 100% All Natural Whey Protein Isolate Powder and their FIVE ingredient or LESS label. It comes in 10 flavors, but I've only yet to tantalize my tastebuds with Vanilla, and my ultimate favorite, Chocolate, which tastes just like a Fudgesicle. But I've got my eye on Cake Batter and Peanut Butter as contenders for my next purchase...

I feel so incredibly grateful for this opportunity that Devenee, Director of Marketing for the company has given me, and look forward to sharing the benefits of About Time and information on their products with all of YOU! What are you waiting for, it's About Time YOU took your health into your own hands!

Have you ever heard of/used About Time? Your favorite?

Do you care about ingredient labels? What do you look for in a protein powder?

What limit have you set on yourself, only to overcome?

What type of athlete are you?

"About Time is the flagship brand of SDC Nutrition, based in Pittsburgh, PA. SDC Nutrition was founded by food and fitness experts Sean Marszalek and Devenee Schumacher" in 2008 and has been growing ever since!

Whoever invented the crockpot, is a genius, hands down. What better way to prep meat in bulk than to let it simmer in its own juices? Most people associate the crockpot with Winter, soups, and stews, but I am about to blow your mind with how you can use your Crockpot to bulk cook chicken to make a variety of meals through out the week! That's right, get ready to have a lot more free time with this simple set and forget recipe with LOTS of ways to switch it up!

1. Spray bottom of crockpot with oil(to prevent chicken from sticking and burning)2. Pour in 1 Cup Water3. Add Chicken Breasts4. Add Garlic Powder & Pepper, topping chicken breasts, then stir the surrounding water5. If Chicken Breasts are not at least halfway covered with water, add an additional half cup of water6. Cook on low 4-6 hours, depending on how many chicken breasts you have, and the strength of your crockpot, you will know better than I do!

AfterUse a fork or this Pampered Chef gadget to shred the chicken, let it cool while marinating in the juicesORLeave Chicken as whole breasts/cut intro strips

Personally, I shred the chicken, let it cool, then store it, juices and all in containers. THEN through out the week, I add sauces, vegetables, or spices, to my shredded chicken to make meals! By prepping the meat "plain" or "basic" as I like to call it, you give yourself more options through out the week to incorporate variety and satisfy whatever craving your body calls for that day!

Tips/Notes- Use Chicken Broth/Chicken Stock instead of water - Make sure it is GF- Switch this idea up with a variety of spices, use your favorites! Some suggestions: - Italian Seasoning, Oregano, Basil, Crushed Red Pepper - Cumin - Curry - Chili Powder

Two words, so it seems so simple right? Be Happy.But the problem is, it's not simple. In our day to day living, we all experience obstacles, both big and small, mental, physical, and emotional that set us back, that hinder us from achieving happiness, or so we think, but to be honest, we are the root of our own unhappiness

It is our attitude and outlook, not our circumstances that defines whether we are happy or not.It isn't that happy people have the best of everything, it is that happy people make the best of everything, no matter what happens.

And while I KNOW all of this is true, lately, I've been having a hard time "practicing what I preach" about self care, being positive, being in the moment and hardwiring happiness. I've been unhappy, not in an over the top way, but just having a hard time starting and ending the day with a grateful heart.At first, I couldn't put my finger on why I felt this way, until I realized I was the reason why.

Instead of seeing each day as an opportunity to live, love and be grateful to be alive, I have been racing through the hours and the days, and it seems as if I have finally stopped to take a breath only to realize that February and half of March have already flew by.

Sometimes, I forget that I am a human, not a machine.I can become so focused on conquering the next item on my to-do list, and push myself to exhaustion, day in and day out, which leads to burn out. When in reality, my "To-Do" List is perpetual, and often compiled of things that can really be categorized as "To-Do Later."Don't miss out on opportunities for joy for something that CAN be done later!

So, I am stopping and taking a step back, and encourage you all to do the same. Stop rushing to the next moment, take a breath, it will come soon enough on its own. Life is too short to live it on fast forward.

I share this because it shows how the journey of bettering yourself, is on-going, and that being truly happy, requires effort and work sometimes, BUT, it is always worth it!

I write this post, with a sense of calm that I haven't felt overcome my body in weeks.Do I still have as much work/planning/teaching/things I want to-do as I did yesterday? Yes, in fact, more for work has been dumped on my plate that I need to prepare for, BUT the difference is my attitude towards it all....I am taking on ALL of these tasks with a grateful heart and a happy mind, and THAT is what makes all the difference, your attitude and outlook on it all. I'm not longer rushing to cross the next thing off my list, but taking each day with the mentality that"it will all get done, but maybe not right now."

This isn't even ALL the food I prepped this weekend, since there's no meat and I made way more kale but this looked prettier!

Although it's been quite some time since I've posted an actual Meal Prep post, I meal prep EVERY single weekend. The type of prep I do, and when I do it varies, but regardless, by Monday, my fridge is stocked with overnight oats, meats galore, a bountiful of greens and complex carbs to fuel me through out the week.

This weekend I braved the icy cold temperatures to hit up my local farmer's market, and scored some extra sweet deals on items I never typically buy for myself, but who could say no to 4 for a 1$ Red Peppers and Zucchini! The result was quite the rainbow array of prepped veggies! With such an overhaul, I had to figure out WHAT to do with all my produce and HOW to prepare it: